Italian Space Agency chief tenders resignation amid probe

Seven investigated for alleged kickbacks

(ANSA) - Rome, February 7 - Italian Space Agency (ASI)
President Enrico Saggese tendered his resignation Friday amid a
probe into alleged kickbacks in contracts.
Rome prosecutors placed Saggese and six others under
investigation Thursday, carrying out searches in ASI offices and
in those of suppliers, as well as in suspects' homes.
Investigations began after an ASI manager reported being
the object of an attempted bribe.
The suspects, who include two employees of Italian
aerospace and defence giant Finmeccanica, could face charges of
bribery and corruption.
Saggese denies all wrongdoing, and his decision to step
down, according to an ASI statement, was in order "to defend his
integrity, reputation and prestige after more than 40 years of
experience in the field".
Other organisations implicated in the probe include Sistina
Travel, which organises foreign travel on behalf of ASI
employees, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA), Get-It,
Eurofiere, Art Work and Space Engineering, which have offices
across the peninsula.